Nola Reporter

The Budweiser Clydesdales have arrived!  It’s time for the annual Horses, Hops & Cops fundraiser to benefit the NOPD Mounted Unit!  Presented by the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation and Budweiser, the event is set for Wednesday January 31, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The event will again be held at the N.O.P.D. horse stables located at 1021 Harrison Avenue in New Orleans City Park. The event is free for all ages. Southern Eagle Sales and Service, the New Orleans-area Budweiser distributor, continues to partner with the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation to co-produce the event, which raises money for the N.O.P.D. Mounted Unit.

Meet Patch the Mini-Horse, the NOPD Mounted Unit's Newest Member!!

Entertainment

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and greet the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales while they are in town for carnival season, as well as enjoy self-guided tours of the horse stables. Guests will also enjoy a live equestrian soccer game at 5:30 p.m. featuring members of the N.O.P.D. Mounted Unit and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.

This year’s live music will be provided by The Wiseguys.  The event will also feature kids activities sponsored in part by the Louisiana Children’s Museum, art & Mardi Gras merchandise vendors, food and beverages for sale plus the opportunity to have a professional photos taken with the Budweiser Clydesdale horses.

Raffle

A raffle is on sale now for a chance to win one of the following prizes: Two passes to ride on the Budweiser Clydesdales Wagon on Mardi Gras day (winner and guest must be 21 or older), a Night Out featuring a pair of tickets to a Saenger Theater show with limousine transportation from Lagniappe Chauffeured Services. A special NOPD Mounted Unit Muses Shoe, and passes to the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium or Insectarium. Drawing will be held at the conclusion of the event at 7:45 p.m. Winner need not be present.  Purchase raffle tickets at www.horseshopsandcops.com.

VIP Experience

The event offers a limited quantity of VIP Experience tickets for sale for both adults and children. VIP Experience guests will enjoy a one-hour guided tour to go behind the scenes with a Budweiser Clydesdale handler, learn about their unique horses, their special training, and more. The VIP Experience also includes a tour of the N.O.P.D. stables and a special K-9 presentation. Each guest will receive a VIP gift bag from event sponsors. Purchase VIP Experience tickets at www.horseshopsandcops.com.

Although it is free for everyone to attend the general admission event starting at 5:00 p.m., proceeds raised from sponsorships, concession sales, raffle tickets, VIP experience tickets, photo sales and other donations will support the NOPD Mounted Unit.

The NOPD Mounted Unit is a vital resource in helping deter criminal activity in the City of New Orleans, especially its hospitality district as well as providing world renowned crowd-control during large events such as Mardi Gras.

 “The NOPD Mounted Unit is a wonderful, and essential tool for the NOPD.  I am anxious to see them in action for my very first Mardi Gras,” says NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. “We are grateful for the many sponsors who support this iconic unit and ensure that the NOPD is able to maintain and grow its stable of horses for years to come.”

Visit http://www.HorsesHopsAndCops.com for more information and additional announcements. Some of our local partners who are helping to make this event successful include Southern Eagle Sales and Service, Paula Todaro, Carbine Motorcars, PJ’s Coffee, Nola Protection Group, Caire Hotel & Restaurant Supply, New Orleans Harley-Davison, Camellia Beans, T.A. Dowd Brokerage, MerchDat Nola, Krewe d’Etat, Krewe of Rex, Fat Boys Pizza, Performance Food Group & Pigeon Catering.

Original source can be found here.